Ontario is in the midst of a good crop of blueberries this season. “We have a really nice crop here and other growers around the province are finding the same,” says Morris Gervais of Barrie Hill Farms in Springwater, Ontario. “Really harsh winters can be hard on the crop but it was a relatively mild winter and we’ve had plenty of rain so growing conditions have been good. Some crops have struggled with all of this rain but blueberries can take that. They’re a good size and really juicy.”
Barrie Hill Farms began harvesting July 15 and will likely continue to go until about September 15 for a 6-8 week season.
Meanwhile, demand is two-sided. “Demand is strong here at our farm. People always like to come and buy fresh at the farm. It’s a great experience to come and pick your own fruit and vegetables,” Gervais says. “However on the wholesale market, Ontario growers struggle with low prices because of fruit coming from other jurisdictions where in many cases the climate is friendlier for greater production.”
Costs threatening Ontario acreage?
While the Ontario climate limits how much production can actually be done in the province compared to other regions, the other issue that growers in the province are facing--as are many growers across North America--is escalating costs. “We also have one of the highest minimum wages in Ontario so our production isn’t always as great and our labor costs are up,” he says. He also notes that for example since the Ontario minimum wage was increased in 2018 (and continues to go up), since then growers have seen decreased sales of Ontario fruits and vegetables at the discount banners of grocery chains particularly. “Farmers are forced to be very efficient. If you have to make gains, you have to make it on productivity to keep profitable,” he adds.
Add to that the fact that prices continue to remain flat. “We’ve got pretty loyal consumers who like to choose Ontario. The Foodland Ontario logo is really strong and people really want to support Ontario,” he says. “However it’s getting so that when the price differential becomes too great, some people won’t or can’t afford to choose Ontario product. We have to charge what we have to charge to stay profitable but if the market isn’t bearing that then you might start to see acreage coming out of fruits and vegetables in the province.”
For more information:
Morris Gervais
Barrie Hill Farms
Tel: +1 (705) 728-0571
info@barriehillfarms.com
https://barriehillfarms.com/